U.S. patent application number 16/280041 was filed with the patent office on 2019-09-19 for solid oxide fuel cell system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to TAKASHI KAKUWA, YUICHI MIKAMI, SHIGENORI ONUMA.
Application Number | 20190288316 16/280041 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65717910 |
Filed Date | 2019-09-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190288316 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KAKUWA; TAKASHI ; et
al. |
September 19, 2019 |
SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL SYSTEM
Abstract
A SOFC system includes: a fuel cell stack; a reformer; an air
supplier: a combustor; and a controller. In a stop control of the
above system, the controller calculates an average of ratios of the
air to the raw material supplied to the reformer as a first
average, in a case in which a molar fraction of a hydrogen
component in the anode off-gas is higher than a molar fraction of a
raw material component in the anode off-gas, and calculates the
average of the ratios of the air to the raw material supplied to
the reformer as a second average, in a case in which the molar
fraction of the hydrogen component in the anode off-gas is lower
than the molar fraction of the raw material component in the anode
off-gas. The controller controls the air supplier so that the first
average is higher than the second average.
Inventors: |
KAKUWA; TAKASHI; (Osaka,
JP) ; ONUMA; SHIGENORI; (Kyoto, JP) ; MIKAMI;
YUICHI; (Kyoto, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. |
Osaka |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
65717910 |
Appl. No.: |
16/280041 |
Filed: |
February 20, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01M 8/04753 20130101;
H01M 2008/1293 20130101; H01M 8/04731 20130101; H01M 8/0612
20130101; H01M 8/04373 20130101; H01M 8/0618 20130101; H01M 8/1233
20130101; H01M 8/04955 20130101; H01M 8/04303 20160201; H01M
8/04365 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01M 8/04955 20060101
H01M008/04955; H01M 8/1233 20060101 H01M008/1233; H01M 8/04303
20060101 H01M008/04303; H01M 8/0432 20060101 H01M008/0432; H01M
8/04701 20060101 H01M008/04701; H01M 8/04746 20060101
H01M008/04746; H01M 8/0612 20060101 H01M008/0612 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 15, 2018 |
JP |
2018-048140 |
Claims
1. A solid oxide fuel cell system comprising: a fuel cell stack
generating a power using a fuel gas and air; a reformer generating
the fuel gas by reforming a raw material; an air supplier supplying
the air to the fuel cell stack: a combustor combusting an anode
off-gas and a cathode off-gas each discharged from the fuel cell
stack; and a controller, wherein in a stop control of the solid
oxide fuel cell system in which the fuel gas and the air are
continuously supplied to the fuel cell stack after power generation
is stopped, the controller calculates an average value of ratios of
the air to the raw material supplied to the reformer as a first
average value, in a case in which a molar fraction of a hydrogen
component in the anode off-gas is higher than a molar fraction of a
raw material component in the anode off-gas, the controller
calculates the average value of the ratios of the air to the raw
material supplied to the reformer as a second average value, in a
case in which the molar fraction of the hydrogen component in the
anode off-gas is lower than the molar fraction of the raw material
component in the anode off-gas, and the controller controls the air
supplier so that the first average value is higher than the second
average value.
2. The solid oxide fuel cell system according to claim 1, further
comprising a temperature detector detecting a temperature of the
reformer, wherein in the stop control, the controller controls the
air supplier based on the temperature detected by the temperature
detector.
3. The solid oxide fuel cell system according to claim 2, wherein
in the stop control, the controller controls the air supplier so
that the air ratio is decreased as the temperature detected by the
temperature detector is decreased.
4. The solid oxide fuel cell system according to claim 2, wherein
the temperature detector is provided for the reformer.
5. The solid oxide fuel cell system according to claim 2, wherein
the temperature detector is provided for the fuel cell stack or a
periphery thereof.
6. The solid oxide fuel cell system according to claim 1, further
comprising a raw material supplier supplying the raw material to
the reformer, wherein in the stop control, the controller controls
the raw material supplier so as to set a supply amount of the raw
material supplied to the reformer to a flow rate corresponding to a
calorific value of 300 W or more.
7. The solid oxide fuel cell system according to claim 1, further
comprising a water supplier supplying water to the reformer,
wherein in the stop control, the controller controls the water
supplier so as to set S/C in the reformer to 2.0 or more.
8. The solid oxide fuel cell system according to claim 2, further
comprising an ignition device igniting the combustor, wherein in
the stop control, the controller controls the ignition device to
ignite the combustor when the temperature detected by the
temperature detector is decreased by a predetermined value or more
in a predetermined time or at predetermined time intervals.
9. The solid oxide fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein
the combustor is a diffusion combustor.
Description
BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a solid oxide fuel cell
system.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] In a stop control (hereinafter, referred to as "stop control
of SOFC system) of a solid oxide fuel cell system in which a fuel
gas and air are continuously supplied to a fuel cell stack after
power generation is stopped, various studies to suppress
degradation of the fuel cell stack have been performed.
[0003] For example, International Publication No. 2013/069632 has
proposed that in a stop control of a SOFC system, a fuel gas and
air are each supplied at a flow rate having a desired constant
ratio to the flow rate thereof in rated power generation of a fuel
cell stack so as to suppress oxidation degradation of nickel of the
fuel cell stack.
[0004] Japanese Patent No. 4906242 has proposed that in a stop
control of a SOFC system, when air is supplied to a cathode of a
fuel cell stack, and at the same time, when a mixed gas of a raw
material gas and steam is supplied to an anode through a reformer,
at a timing at which the temperature of the reformer is decreased
to a range of "oxidation generation temperature.+-.150.degree. C."
of a reforming catalyst, the supply of the mixed gas is stopped. In
addition, a proposal has also been made that after the supply of
the mixed gas is stopped, air or a hydrocarbon gas is allowed to
flow to the fuel cell stack through the reformer as a purge gas. As
a result, it has been disclosed that without causing oxidation
degradation of the reforming catalyst, the stop control of the SOFC
system can be appropriately performed.
[0005] Japanese Patent No. 4961682 has proposed that in a stop
control of a SOFC system, air is supplied to a cathode of a fuel
cell stack, and water (steam) and a raw material gas are
continuously supplied to an anode through a reformer while the flow
rates thereof are decreased. It has been disclosed that as a
result, while the anode is maintained in a reducing atmosphere, the
temperature of the fuel cell stack can be appropriately
decreased.
SUMMARY
[0006] However, according to the related examples, in the stop
control of the SOFC system in which the fuel gas and air are
continuously supplied to the fuel cell stack after power generation
is stopped, a method how to set an air flow rate in consideration
of combustion characteristics of a combustor has not been
studied.
[0007] One non-limiting and exemplary embodiment provides a SOFC
system in which in a stop control of a SOFC system in which a fuel
gas and air are continuously supplied to a fuel cell stack after
power generation is stopped, an air flow rate is appropriately set
in consideration of combustion characteristics of a combustor, so
that degradation in durability of the fuel cell stack can be
suppressed as compared to that in the past. In addition, a SOFC
system capable of decreasing a stop time in the above stop control
as compared to that in the past is also provided.
[0008] In one general aspect, the techniques disclosed here feature
a SOFC system comprising: a fuel cell stack generating a power
using a fuel gas and air; a reformer generating the fuel gas by
reforming a raw material; an air supplier supplying the air to the
fuel cell stack: a combustor combusting an anode off-gas and a
cathode off-gas each discharged from the fuel cell stack; and a
controller. In a stop control of the SOFC system in which the fuel
gas and the air are continuously supplied to the fuel cell stack
after power generation is stopped, the controller calculates an
average value of ratios of the air to the raw material supplied to
the reformer as a first average value, in a case in which a molar
fraction of a hydrogen component in the anode off-gas is higher
than a molar fraction of a raw material component in the anode
off-gas, and the controller calculates the average value of the
ratios of the air to the raw material supplied to the reformer as a
second average value, in a case in which the molar fraction of the
hydrogen component in the anode off-gas is lower than the molar
fraction of the raw material component in the anode off-gas, and
the controller controls the air supplier so that the first average
value is higher than the second average value.
[0009] According to the SOFC system of the aspect of the present
disclosure, in the stop control of the SOFC system in which the
fuel gas and air are continuously supplied to the fuel cell stack
after power generation is stopped, since the air flow rate is
appropriately set in consideration of combustion characteristics of
the combustor, an effect of suppressing degradation in durability
of the fuel cell stack can be obtained unlike the case in the past.
In addition, the SOFC system of the aspect of the present
disclosure obtains an effect of decreasing a stop time in the above
stop control as compared to that in the past.
[0010] Additional benefits and advantages of the disclosed
embodiments will become apparent from the specification and
drawings. The benefits and/or advantages may be individually
obtained by the various embodiments and features of the
specification and drawings, which need not all be provided in order
to obtain one or more of such benefits and/or advantages.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing one example of a SOFC
system of a first embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a graph showing one example of a result of a
combustion experiment of a simulated off-gas using a single
combustion experiment device;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a graph showing one example of the change in
temperature of a fuel cell stack in association with a power
generation operation of an SOFC system 100 of the first
embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 4 shows one example of a stop control of the SOFC
system of the first embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing one example of an operation of
the SOFC system of the first embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing one example of a SOFC
system of a second embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing one example of an operation of
the SOFC system of the second embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing one example of a SOFC
system of a third embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing one example of a SOFC
system of a fourth embodiment; and
[0020] FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing one example of a SOFC
system of a fifth embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] In a stop control of a SOFC system in which a fuel gas and
air are continuously supplied to a fuel cell stack after power
generation is stopped, a method how to set an air flow rate in
consideration of combustion characteristics of a combustor has been
intensively studied, and as a result, the following was found.
[0022] When an instruction is made to stop power generation in a
SOFC system in a power generation control operation of a fuel cell
stack, the operation is shifted to a stop control of the SOFC
system. In this case, since the fuel cell stack performs power
generation in a high temperature atmosphere (for example, at
approximately 600.degree. C.), in order to appropriately stop the
SOFC system, the temperature in the system is required to be stably
and rapidly decreased from a high temperature to ordinary
temperature.
[0023] In particular, it has been known that when nickel which has
been frequently used as an anode (fuel electrode) of the fuel cell
stack of the SOFC system is oxidized by being brought into contact
with air in a high temperature atmosphere, the durability of the
fuel cell stack is degraded. Hence, measures are required to
prevent air from being brought into contact with the anode of the
fuel cell stack until the temperature thereof is decreased to an
appropriate temperature (for example, to approximately 400.degree.
C.) at which nickel is not oxidized, and heretofore, the following
two methods have been primarily performed.
[0024] A first method is a method in which after power generation
is stopped, air for cooling is continuously supplied only to a
cathode (air electrode) of a fuel cell stack, and supply of a fuel
gas to an anode of the fuel cell stack is stopped. Accordingly,
since a fuel gas containing hydrogen is filled in the anode of the
fuel cell stack, oxidation of nickel of the anode can be
suppressed. Although this method has an advantage since a simple
stop control is performed, pressure difference is generated between
the inside and the outside of the anode in association with a
temperature decrease of the anode of the fuel cell stack, and
hence, air may flow into the anode in some cases. Accordingly, by
the first method as described above, it is believed that oxidation
of nickel of the anode is difficult to be sufficiently
prevented.
[0025] A second method is a method in which even after power
generation is stopped, air is continuously supplied to a cathode of
a fuel cell stack, and at the same time, a fuel gas containing
hydrogen is supplied to an anode until the temperature is decreased
to an appropriate temperature (for example, to approximately
400.degree. C.) at which nickel of the anode of the fuel cell stack
is not oxidized. Accordingly, until the temperature of the fuel
cell stack is decreased to the above appropriate temperature, since
the fuel gas containing hydrogen flows to the anode of the fuel
cell stack, oxidation of nickel of the anode can be suppressed.
Although an oxidation suppression effect of nickel of the anode of
this method is superior to that of the first method, an anode
off-gas containing a combustible component is discharged outside.
Hence, in many cases, the anode off-gas discharged from the anode
is processed, for example, by a combustion treatment using a
combustor after being mixed with a cathode off-gas (air) discharged
from the cathode.
[0026] According to the second method, in the stop control of the
SOFC system, when the flow rate of air supplied to the cathode of
the fuel cell stack is increased, although the temperature of the
SOFC system can be rapidly decreased, by an increase in flow rate
of the cathode off-gas flowing in the combustor, lean combustion
occurs therein, and as a result, flame of the combustor is liable
to go out. If the flame of the combustor goes out, the fuel gas
cannot be supplied to the anode of the fuel cell stack, and air may
probably flow to the anode in some cases; hence, by oxidation of
nickel of the anode, the durability of the fuel cell stack may be
degraded in some cases.
[0027] On the other hand, when the flow rate of air supplied to the
cathode of the fuel cell stack is decreased, although combustion
stability of the combustor is improved, a stop time in the stop
control of the SOFC system is increased.
[0028] That is, according to the second method, it is believed that
the suppression of degradation in durability of the fuel cell stack
and the decrease in stop time are in a trade-off relationship.
[0029] Incidentally, even in the stop control of the SOFC system,
when the reformer is in a high temperature atmosphere, a fuel gas
containing hydrogen is generated by reforming a raw material. In
addition, the fuel gas containing hydrogen is supplied to the anode
of the fuel cell stack through this reformer.
[0030] Accordingly, the present inventors focused on a phenomenon
in that since the conversion rate or the like of the reformer is
changed as the temperature of the reformer is decreased, the
composition of the anode off-gas flowing from the anode of the fuel
cell stack into the combustor is changed from a hydrogen
component-dominant composition to a raw material component-dominant
composition, and the following aspect of the present disclosure was
finally made. That is, the present inventors found that in
accordance with the change in composition of the anode off-gas
flowing from the anode of the fuel cell stack to the combustor,
when the flow rate of air supplied to the cathode of the fuel cell
stack is appropriately set, the problem of the second method
described above can be overcome.
[0031] That is, a SOFC system of a first aspect of the present
disclosure comprises: a fuel cell stack generating a power using a
fuel gas and air; a reformer generating the fuel gas by reforming a
raw material; an air supplier supplying the air to the fuel cell
stack: a combustor combusting an anode off-gas and a cathode
off-gas each discharged from the fuel cell stack; and a controller.
In a stop control of the SOFC system in which the fuel gas and the
air are continuously supplied to the fuel cell stack after power
generation is stopped, the controller calculates an average value
of ratios of the air to the raw material supplied to the reformer
as a first average value, in a case in which a molar fraction of a
hydrogen component in the anode off-gas is higher than a molar
fraction of a raw material component in the anode off-gas, and the
controller calculates the average value of the ratios of the air to
the raw material supplied to the reformer as a second average
value, in a case in which the molar fraction of the hydrogen
component in the anode off-gas is lower than the molar fraction of
the raw material component in the anode off-gas, and the controller
controls the air supplier so that the first average value is higher
than the second average value.
[0032] In addition, in this specification, the "air ratio with
respect to the raw material supplied to the reformer" (hereinafter,
simply referred to as "air ratio" in some cases) indicates the
ratio of an air flow rate supplied to the cathode of the fuel cell
stack in the case in which the amount of air minimum required for
complete combustion of the raw material is regarded as "1".
[0033] For example, an "air ratio with respect to methane supplied
to the reformer" in the case in which the raw material is a methane
gas which is a primary component of a city gas will be described
below.
[0034] A combustion reaction of a methane gas is represented by the
following formula (1).
CH.sub.4+2O.sub.2.fwdarw.CO.sub.2+2H.sub.2O (I)
[0035] Hence, an air flow rate Q minimum required for complete
combustion of a flow rate L of a methane gas supplied to the
reformer is represented by the following formula (2) when 21% of
oxygen is assumed to be contained in the air. Accordingly, since
the "air ratio with respect to methane supplied to the reformer" is
a ratio of an air flow rate supplied to the cathode of the fuel
cell stack in the case in which this air flow rate Q is regarded as
"1", the air ratio can be represented by the following formula
(3).
Q=2.times.L/0.21 (2)
Air Ratio=(Air Flow Rate Supplied to Cathode of Fuel Cell Stack)/Q
(3)
[0036] By the structure as described above, according to the SOFC
system of this aspect, in the stop control of the SOFC system in
which after power generation is stopped, the fuel gas and air are
continuously supplied to the fuel cell stack, the air flow rate is
appropriately set in consideration of combustion characteristics of
the combustor, and hence, the degradation in durability of the fuel
cell stack can be suppressed as compared to that in the past. In
addition, the SOFC system of this aspect can decrease the stop time
in this stop control as compared to that in the past.
[0037] Hereinafter, with reference to the case in which as the raw
material supplied to the reformer, for example, a methane gas is
used, an operational advantage of the first aspect will be
described.
[0038] When the molar fraction of the hydrogen component in the
anode off-gas is higher than the molar fraction of the methane
component in the anode off-gas, since the composition of the anode
off-gas flowing in the combustor is a hydrogen component-dominant
composition, even if lean combustion occurs in the combustor, flame
is not likely to go out. That is, even when the fuel of the
combustor is lean, a flame by hydrogen combustion having a rapid
combustion rate is not likely to go out as compared to a flame by a
methane combustion having a slow combustion rate. Hence, at this
stage, by an increase in flow rate of air supplied to the cathode
of the fuel cell stack (that is, by an increase in the first
average value of the air ratio), since the temperature of the SOFC
system can be rapidly decreased, the stop time in the stop control
of the SOFC system can be decreased as compared to that in the
past.
[0039] On the other hand, when the molar fraction of the hydrogen
component in the anode off-gas is lower than the molar fraction of
the methane component in the anode off-gas, since the composition
of the anode off-gas flowing in the combustor is a methane
component-dominant composition, when lean combustion occurs in the
combustor, flame is liable to go out. That is, when the fuel in the
combustor is lean, a flame by methane combustion having a slow
combustion rate is liable to go out as compared to a flame by
hydrogen combustion having a rapid combustion rate. Hence, at this
stage, by a decrease in flow rate of air supplied to the cathode of
the fuel cell stack (that is, by a decrease in the second average
value of the air ratio), the combustion stability of the combustor
can be improved. Accordingly, the probability in that since the
flame of the combustor goes out, the fuel gas cannot be supplied to
the anode of the fuel cell stack, and air flows to the anode can be
reduced, and hence, the degradation in durability of the fuel cell
stack can be suppressed as compared to that in the past.
[0040] A SOFC system of a second aspect of the present disclosure
may include a temperature detector detecting the temperature of the
reformer of the SOFC system of the first aspect, and in the stop
control of the SOFC system, the controller may control the air
supplier based on the temperature detected by this temperature
detector.
[0041] Whether the composition of the anode off-gas flowing in the
combustor from the anode of the fuel cell stack is a hydrogen
component-dominant composition or a raw material component-dominant
composition can be known by detecting the temperature of the
reformer. Hence, the SOFC system of this aspect can appropriately
set the flow rate of air supplied to the cathode of the fuel cell
stack by controlling the air supplier based on the temperature
detected by the temperature detector.
[0042] According to a SOFC system of a third aspect of the present
disclosure, in the stop control of the SOFC system of the second
aspect, the controller of the SOFC system may decrease the air
ratio by controlling the air supplier in association with a
decrease in temperature detected by the temperature detector.
[0043] The composition of the anode off-gas flowing in the
combustor from the anode of the fuel cell stack is changed from a
hydrogen component-dominant composition to a raw material
component-dominant composition since the conversion rate or the
like of the reformer is changed in association with the decrease in
temperature of the reformer. Hence, in the SOFC system of this
aspect, as the temperature detected by the above temperature
detector is decreased, the flow rate of air supplied to the fuel
cell stack is decreased by controlling the air supplier, so that
the flow rate of air supplied to the cathode of the fuel cell stack
can be appropriately set.
[0044] According to a SOFC system of a fourth aspect of the present
disclosure, in the SOFC system of the second aspect or the third
aspect, the temperature detector may be provided for the
reformer.
[0045] According to a SOFC system of a fifth aspect, in the SOFC
system of the second aspect or the third aspect, the temperature
detector may be provided for the fuel cell stack or the periphery
thereof.
[0046] A SOFC system of a sixth aspect of the present disclosure
may include a raw material supplier supplying the raw material to
the reformer of the SOFC system of any one of the first to the
fifth aspects, and in the stop control of the SOFC system, the
controller may control the raw material supplier so as to set a
supply amount of the raw material supplied to the reformer to a
flow rate corresponding to a calorific value of 300 W or more.
[0047] With reference to the case in which as the raw material
supplied to the reformer, for example, a methane gas is used,
hereinafter, an operational advantage of the sixth aspect will be
described.
[0048] If the composition of the anode off-gas flowing in the
combustor from the anode of the fuel cell stack is a methane
component-dominant composition, when a methane gas flow rate is set
to less than a calorific value of 300 W, due to an insufficient
amount of heat of combustible gas combustion of the combustor, the
combustible gas combustion may be probably not maintained in some
cases. However, in the SOFC system of this aspect, by the structure
as described above, the above probability can be reduced.
[0049] A SOFC system of a seventh aspect of the present disclosure
may include a water supplier supplying water to the reformer of the
SOFC system of any one of the first to the sixth aspects, and in
the stop control of the SOFC system, the controller may control the
water supplier so as to set S/C of the reformer to 2.0 or more.
Incidentally, S/C indicates the ratio of the number of moles of
steam used for a reforming reaction to the number of moles of
carbon (C) forming a raw material hydrocarbon.
[0050] When S/C of the reformer is set to less than 2.0, although a
reforming catalyst may be probably degraded in some cases by carbon
precipitation on the reforming catalyst, in the SOFC system of this
aspect, by the structure described above, the probability described
above can be reduced.
[0051] A SOFC system of an eight aspect of the present disclosure
may include an ignition device igniting the combustor of the SOFC
system of any one of the second to the fifth aspects, and in the
stop control of the SOFC system, the controller may control the
ignition device to ignite the combustor when the temperature
detected by the temperature detector is decreased by a
predetermined value or more in a predetermined time or at
predetermined time intervals.
[0052] When the decrease of the detected temperature within a
certain time exceeds a predetermined amount, the flame of the
combustor may go out. Hence, in this case, according to the SOFC
system of this aspect, since the combustor is ignited, the state in
which the flame of the combustor goes out is suppressed from being
continued. That is, from the state in which the flame of the
combustor goes out, a normal combustion state can be rapidly
recovered.
[0053] In addition, in the SOFC system of this aspect, since the
combustor is ignited at predetermined time intervals, the
probability of forming the state in which the flame of the
combustor goes out can be reduced.
[0054] According to a SOFC system of a ninth aspect of the present
disclosure, in the SOFC system of any one of the first to the
eighth aspects, the combustor may be a diffusion combustor.
[0055] By the structure described above, the probability of forming
the state in which the flame of the combustor goes out can be
reduced.
[0056] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, embodiments of
the present disclosure will be described. In addition, the
embodiments described below each show one example of the aspects
described above. Hence, the following shapes, materials, values,
constituent elements, arrangement positions and connection modes of
the constituent elements, and the like are described by way of
example and are not intended to limit the aspects described above
unless otherwise described in claims. In addition, among the
following constituent elements, a constituent element not described
in an independent claim which shows the topmost concept of the
above aspect may be described as an arbitrary constituent element.
In addition, in the drawings, description of constituent elements
designated by the same reference numeral may be omitted in some
cases. In order to facilitate the understanding of the drawings,
the constituent elements are each schematically drawn, and the
shape, the dimensional rate, and the like may be not precisely
illustrated in some cases.
[0057] In the operation, if needed, for example, the order of steps
may be changed. In addition, if needed, another known step may also
be added to the operation.
First Embodiment
[Device Structure]
[0058] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing one example of a SOFC
system of a first embodiment.
[0059] In addition, for convenience, "upper" and "lower" are drawn
as shown in FIG. 1, and the gravity is assumed to act in a
direction from an upper side to a lower side (the same is also
shown in each of FIGS. 6, 8, 9, and 10).
[0060] In the example shown in FIG. 1, a SOFC system 100 includes a
reformer 2, a fuel cell stack 6, a combustor 20, a controller 40,
and an air supplier 44.
[0061] In addition, in the SOFC system 100 of this embodiment,
there is provided a partition portion 51 separating the inside of
the SOFC system 100 into an upper region 50A in which the reformer
2, an evaporator 4, the combustor 20, and the like are received and
a lower region 50B in which the fuel cell stack 6 and the like are
received.
[0062] The reformer 2 is a device generating a fuel gas (reformed
gas) containing hydrogen by reforming a hydrocarbon-based raw
material. In this structure, the reformer 2 is disposed at an upper
side of the combustor 20 and includes a side wall portion formed
from an inside wall 2A and an outside wall 2B; however, the
structure of the reformer 2 is not limited to that described
above.
[0063] However, in the case in which the reformer 2 includes the
side wall portion, when the thickness of the side wall portion is
appropriately set, heat from a combustion exhaust gas can be
efficiently transferred to the entire of a reforming catalyst 2E
filled in the side wall portion of the reformer 2.
[0064] For example, after a required amount (such as approximately
200 g) of the reforming catalyst 2E is secured in the reformer 2,
the distance (that is, the thickness of the side wall portion)
between the inside wall 2A and the outside wall 2B may be set to
approximately 10 mm so that heat held by the combustion exhaust gas
is sufficiently transferred to the entire reforming catalyst
2E.
[0065] In addition, in the SOFC system 100 of this embodiment, the
inside wall 2A and the outside wall 2B of the reformer 2 are
cylindrical bodies having different diameters but are not limited
thereto. The inside wall 2A and the outside wall 2B each may also
be a rectangular tube body.
[0066] However, as is the case of the SOFC system 100, when the
inside wall 2A and the outside wall 2B of the reformer 2 are each
formed of a cylindrical body, compared to the case in which those
walls are each formed from a rectangular tube body, the welding
length and the number of welding spots in the manufacturing can be
decreased. Hence, the manufacturing cost of the reformer 2 can be
reduced. In addition, when the inside wall 2A and the outside wall
2B of the reformer 2 are each formed from a cylindrical body,
resistance against gas pressure and resistance against heat stress
are improved, and hence, the thickness of the cylindrical body can
be decreased.
[0067] In the SOFC system 100 of this embodiment, an upper end
region of the side wall portion of the reformer 2 is covered with
an upper plate member 2U, and a lower end region of the side wall
portion is covered with a lower plate member 2D. In addition, in a
peripheral portion of the upper plate member 2U, a plurality of
opening portions (not shown) through which a gas to be supplied to
the reforming catalyst 2E passes is formed.
[0068] As shown in FIG. 1, a high-temperature combustion exhaust
gas passes through a space between the outside wall 2B of the
reformer 2 and an inside wall 54 of a container of the SOFC system
100. Accordingly, the reforming catalyst 2E of the reformer 2 is
heated by heat of the combustion exhaust gas.
[0069] In the vicinity of a lower end portion of the inside wall 2A
of the reformer 2, a folding portion 16 is provided. The folding
portion 16 has a plurality of opening portions (not shown) provided
along the circumference of the inside wall 2A. These opening
portions are each formed in the inside wall 2A to have a size (such
as a round hole having a diameter of approximately 1 to 3 mm) which
prevents catalyst particles of the reforming catalyst 2E from
passing therethrough and which allows the fuel gas to pass
therethrough.
[0070] In addition, a fuel gas supply path 13 penetrates the lower
plate member 2D in an air-tight state and vertically extends upward
in a space in the reformer 2. In addition, an upper end portion of
the fuel gas supply path 13 is located at a position at which the
flow of the fuel gas from the space in the reformer 2 to the fuel
gas supply path 13 is not disturbed and at a position below the
upper plate member 2U. A lower end portion of the fuel gas supply
path 13 is connected to the fuel cell stack 6.
[0071] A reforming reaction of the reformer 2 may have any reaction
mode. For example, in a power generation control operation of the
SOFC system 100, as the reforming reaction of the reformer 2, a
steam reforming reaction is taken place. In general, as a catalyst
metal of the reforming catalyst 2E, at least one selected from the
group consisting of noble metal catalysts, such as Pt, Ru, and Rh,
and nickel (Ni) may be used.
[0072] In addition, as the raw material, there may be used a
hydrocarbon-based raw material gas, such as a city gas, a natural
gas, each of which contains a methane gas as a primary component,
or LPG, containing an organic compound formed from at least carbon
and hydrogen. In addition, a hydrocarbon-based liquid fuel, such as
an alcohol, a biofuel, or light oil, may also be used.
[0073] In this case, water (steam) and the raw material are each
required to be supplied in a high temperature state (for example,
at approximately 400.degree. C. to 700.degree. C.) to the reformer
2.
[0074] Accordingly, in the SOFC system 100 of this embodiment,
right above the upper plate member 2U of the reformer 2, the
evaporator 4 is provided, and water (steam) and the raw material
are each supplied to the reformer 2 through the evaporator 4. In
addition, in the reformer 2, a fuel gas is generated which contains
H.sub.2, CO.sub.2, and CO, each of which is generated in a layer of
the reforming catalyst 2E filled in the reformer 2 by a steam
reforming reaction, and which also contains an unreformed gas and
steam. The fuel gas is supplied to an anode of the fuel cell stack
6 through the fuel gas supply path 13.
[0075] The evaporator 4 includes a side wall portion formed of an
inside wall 4A and an outside wall 4B and a bottom portion 4E
formed of the upper plate member 2U of the reformer 2 and a lower
plate member 4D. An upper end region of the side wall portion of
the evaporator 4 is covered with an upper wall 52 of the container
of the SOFC system 100, and a lower end region of the side wall
portion is covered with the lower plate member 4D. Hence, the
inside of the side wall portion and the inside of the bottom
portion 4E of the evaporator 4 are each a space. In addition, in
the side wall portion, a flow path member 4C (such as a wire)
forming a spiral flow path is wound.
[0076] In addition, the outside wall 4B of the evaporator 4 and the
outside wall 2B of the reformer 2 are formed from the same
cylindrical body. Accordingly, the number of components of the SOFC
system 100 can be decreased.
[0077] In this case, the inside wall 4A and the outside wall 4B of
the evaporator 4 may be cylindrical bodies having different
diameters but are not limited thereto. Those inside walls 4A and
outside walls 4B each may also be, for example, a rectangular tuber
body.
[0078] However, as is the SOFC system 100, when the inside wall 4A
and the outside wall 4B of the evaporator 4 are each formed of a
cylindrical body, since the welding length and the number of
welding spots in the manufacturing can be decreased as compared to
the case in which the walls described above are each formed of a
rectangular tube body, the manufacturing cost of the evaporator 4
can be reduced. In addition, when the inside wall 4A and the
outside wall 4B of the evaporator 4 are each formed of a
cylindrical body, resistance against gas pressure and resistance
against heat stress are improved, and hence, the thickness of the
cylindrical body can be decreased.
[0079] As shown in FIG. 1, a high-temperature combustion exhaust
gas passes through a space between the outside wall 4B of the
evaporator 4 and the inside wall 54 of the container of the SOFC
system 100. Accordingly, the inside of the side wall portion of the
evaporator 4 is heated by heat of the combustion exhaust gas.
[0080] In the vicinity of a lower end portion of the inside wall 4A
of the evaporator 4, a folding portion 17 is provided. The folding
portion 17 has a plurality of opening portions (not shown) provided
along the circumference of the inside wall 4A. In addition, a mixed
gas supply path 14 through which a mixed gas of the raw material
and steam passes penetrates the lower plate member 4D in an
air-tight state and vertically extends upward in a space in the
evaporator 4. In addition, an upper end portion of the mixed gas
supply path 14 is located at a position at which the flow of the
mixed gas from the space in the evaporator 4 to the mixed gas
supply path 14 is not disturbed and at a position below the upper
wall 52. A lower end portion of the mixed gas supply path 14 is
located at a position at which the flow of the mixed gas from a
space in the bottom portion 4E of the evaporator 4 to the reforming
catalyst 2E is not disturbed and at a position above the upper
plate member 2U.
[0081] In addition, the evaporator 4 may have any structure as long
as being disposed in contact with the reformer 2. For example, as
is the SOFC system 100, the structure may also be used in which the
evaporator 4 and reformer 2 are disposed in this order in a
direction from an upper side to a lower side, and the side wall
portion of the evaporator 4 and the side wall portion of the
reformer 2 are in contact with each other with the bottom portion
4E of the evaporator 4 interposed therebetween.
[0082] The fuel cell stack 6 includes at least one solid oxide fuel
cell (SOFC, not shown) generating a power using the fuel gas and
air.
[0083] The air supplier 44 is a device supplying air to the fuel
cell stack 6. The air supplier 44 may have any structure as long as
capable of supplying air to the fuel cell stack 6. As the air
supplier 44, for example, although a blower may be mentioned, the
air supplier 44 is not limited thereto.
[0084] That is, air is supplied to a cathode of the fuel cell stack
6 through an air supply path 5 connected to the air supplier 44,
and to the anode of the fuel cell stack 6, the fuel gas is supplied
through the fuel gas supply path 13 connected to the reformer 2. In
addition, the details of the air supply path 5 will be described
later.
[0085] In the fuel cell stack 6, single cells (not shown) of the
fuel cell stack 6 are assembled together and connected to each
other in series. The fuel cell stack 6 may be formed by laminating
flat plate single cells or by assembling cylindrical single
cells.
[0086] The single cells of the fuel cell stack 6 each include a
solid oxide fuel electrolyte, an anode, and a cathode.
[0087] As the solid oxide electrolyte, there may be used either an
oxide ion conductive electrolyte or a proton conductive
electrolyte.
[0088] The anode of the single cell is provided on one primary
surface of the solid oxide electrolyte and the cathode of the
single cell is provided on the other primary surface of the solid
oxide electrolyte. Although the anode of the single cell is formed
from a material having a composition containing at least nickel
(Ni), the structure of the single cell as described above is
similar to that of a general SOFC, and hence, detail description
thereof will be omitted.
[0089] The air supply path 5 is a path through which air to be
supplied to the cathode of the fuel cell stack 6 flows. In
particular, after supplied to the air supply path 5 by the air
supplier 44, air is supplied to the fuel cell stack 6.
[0090] The air supply path 5 is formed between the inside wall 54
and an outside wall 53 of the container of the SOFC system 100, and
the inside wall 54 extends from the upper wall 52 of the container
of the SOFC system 100 to a lower side of the fuel cell stack 6 and
covers a bottom portion of the SOFC system 100. Since an operation
temperature of the SOFC system 100 is high (such as 600.degree. C.
or more), the structure in which the periphery of the container of
the SOFC system 100 is covered with an insulating material (not
shown) so as to suppress heat dissipation to the outside has been
frequently used.
[0091] An anode off-gas discharge path 11 is a path through which
an anode off-gas discharged from the anode of the fuel cell stack 6
flows. In particular, after passing through the anode off-gas
discharge path 11, an anode off-gas containing a hydrogen gas
(H.sub.2), steam (H.sub.2O), carbon monoxide (CO), an unreformed
raw material, and the like, each of which is not used for power
generation of the fuel cell stack 6, is supplied to the combustor
20.
[0092] In this case, the anode off-gas discharge path 11 extends
from the anode of the fuel cell stack 6 to the combustor 20 through
the lower region 50B and the partition portion 51. In addition, the
number of the anode off-gas discharge paths 11 is 2 but is not
limited thereto.
[0093] A cathode off-gas discharge path is a path through which a
cathode off-gas discharged from the cathode of the fuel cell stack
6 flows. In particular, after passing through this cathode off-gas
discharge path, air (cathode off-gas) not used for power generation
of the fuel cell stack 6 is supplied to a combustion space 25.
[0094] In this case, the cathode off-gas discharge path is formed
by a space in the lower region 50B in which the fuel cell stack 6
is received, a first cathode off-gas passing region 23, and a
second cathode off-gas passing region 30.
[0095] An air heat exchanger 7 is a device which exchanges heat of
air flowing in the air supply path 5 and heat of a combustion
exhaust gas flowing in a space surrounded by the inside wall 54.
That is, in the air heat exchanger 7, a part of the inside wall 54
exposed to the combustion exhaust gas functions as a heat
conduction surface. Accordingly, when air at ordinary temperature
flows through the air supply path 5 from an upper side to a lower
side, by heat exchange with the combustion exhaust gas flowing in
the space surrounded by the inside wall 54 from a lower side to an
upper side, the air is heated to a high temperature (for example,
to approximately 600.degree. C. to 700.degree. C.). Furthermore,
the air is heated to a temperature required for a power generation
reaction of the fuel cell stack 6 using internal reforming reaction
heat of the fuel cell stack 6 and is then supplied to the cathode
of the fuel cell stack 6 from a lower portion of the container
receiving the fuel cell stack 6. In addition, after cooled to an
appropriate temperature (for example, to approximately 100.degree.
C. to 200.degree. C.), the combustion exhaust gas is discharged
outside the SOFC system 100. This combustion exhaust gas may be
supplied, for example, to a heat exchanger (not shown) for
generation of hot water for hot water supply.
[0096] The combustor 20 is a device combusting the anode off-gas
and the cathode off-gas discharged from the fuel cell stack 6.
[0097] In particular, the cathode off-gas and the anode off-gas
discharged from the fuel cell stack 6 are each sprayed out to the
combustion space 25. As a result, those gases are
diffusion-combusted in the combustion space 25.
[0098] The combustor 20 includes an anode off-gas collection
portion 22. In the anode off-gas collection portion 22, there are
provided a plurality of anode off-gas spray holes 21 which collect
the anode off-gas discharged from the anode of the fuel cell stack
6 and which spray the anode off-gas thus collected to the
combustion space 25. The anode off-gas collection portion 22 is
formed so as to surround the first cathode off-gas passing region
23 through which the cathode off-gas discharged from the cathode of
the fuel cell stack 6 passes.
[0099] As shown in FIG. 1, the anode off-gas collection portion 22
is formed from a hollow torus body. In addition, at least one
opening portion is formed in the partition portion 51 so that the
space surrounded by this torus body communicates with the lower
region 50B.
[0100] The space surrounded by the torus body and including this
opening portion is used as the first cathode off-gas passing region
23. In addition, an opening portion formed in the partition portion
51 at a position along the outer circumference of the anode off-gas
collection portion 22 and at an inner side than the inside wall 54
is used as the second cathode off-gas passing region 30.
[0101] In the first cathode off-gas passing region 23, the cathode
off-gas passes through the space surrounded by the anode off-gas
collection portion 22, and a flame F is formed at the anode off-gas
spray hole 21 in an inner direction so as to be close to the fuel
gas supply path 13. Hence, the cathode off-gas may be difficult in
some cases to spread over the outer circumference of the flame
F.
[0102] Accordingly, when the cathode off-gas is partially allowed
to pass through the second cathode off-gas passing region 30
located outside of the anode off-gas collection portion 22, a
mixing property of the cathode off-gas and the anode off-gas can be
improved even at the outer circumference of the flame F. In
addition, by improving the mixing property of the cathode off-gas
and the anode off-gas, the combustion characteristics of the
combustor 20 can be further improved. For example, the structure
may be formed so that an approximately half of the total amount of
the cathode off-gas discharged from the cathode of the fuel cell
stack 6 passes through the second cathode off-gas passing region
30.
[0103] In addition, the anode off-gas spray hole 21 is provided so
that the anode off-gas sprayed upward from the anode off-gas spray
hole 21 is close to the cathode off-gas passing through the first
cathode off-gas passing region 23 from a lower side to an upper
side. That is, the anode off-gas collection portion 22 includes a
tapered surface 22T inclined downward to the first cathode off-gas
passing region 23, and in the tapered surface 22T, the anode
off-gas spray holes 21 are formed.
[0104] As described above, the anode off-gas sprayed from the anode
off-gas spray hole 21 and the cathode off-gas passing through the
first cathode off-gas passing region 23 are
diffusion-combusted.
[0105] In addition, in the SOFC system 100 of this embodiment, the
anode off-gas collection portion 22 is formed from a torus body but
is not limited thereto. The anode off-gas collection portion 22 may
be formed, for example, from a rectangular toroidal body.
[0106] However, as is the SOFC system 100 of this embodiment, when
the anode off-gas collection portion 22 is formed from a torus
body, compared to the case in which the anode off-gas collection
portion 22 is formed, for example, from a rectangular toroidal
body, since the welding length and the number of welding spots in
the manufacturing can be decreased, the manufacturing cost of the
anode off-gas collection portion 22 can be reduced. In addition,
resistance against gas pressure and resistance against heat stress
are improved, and hence, the thickness of the torus body can be
decreased.
[0107] In the stop control of the SOFC system 100 in which the fuel
gas and air are continuously supplied to the fuel cell stack 6
after the power generation is stopped, in the case in which a molar
fraction (.beta.) of a hydrogen component in the anode off-gas is
higher than a molar fraction (.alpha.) of a raw material component
in the anode off-gas (.beta.>.alpha.), an average value of an
air ratio with respect to the raw material supplied to the reformer
2 is regarded as a first average value; in the case in which the
molar fraction (.beta.) of the hydrogen component in the anode
off-gas is lower than the molar fraction (.alpha.) of the raw
material component in the anode off-gas (.beta.<.alpha.), the
average value of the air ratio with respect to the raw material
supplied to the reformer 2 is regarded as a second average value;
and the controller 40 controls the air supplier 44 so that the
first average value is higher than the second average value.
[0108] The controller 40 may control the entire operation of the
SOFC system 100.
[0109] The controller 40 may have any structure as long as having a
control function. The controller 40 includes, for example, a
computing circuit (not shown) and a storage circuit (not shown)
storing a control program. As the computing circuit, for example,
an MPU and/or a CPU may be mentioned. As the storage circuit, for
example, a memory may be mentioned.
[0110] The controller 40 may be formed from a single controller
performing a central control or may be formed from a plurality of
controllers performing a distributed control in cooperation with
each other.
[0111] In addition, although not shown in FIG. 1, in the operation
of the SOFC system 100, necessary devices may be appropriately
provided.
[0112] For example, when the reforming reaction of the reformer 2
is a steam reforming reaction, a water supplier (such as a pump)
supplying water to the evaporator 4, a raw material supplier (such
as a pump) supplying the raw material to the evaporator 4, and the
like may be provided. When the reforming reaction is an autothermal
reaction, in the SOFC system 100, for example, an air supplier
(such as a blower) supplying reforming air to the reformer 2 and
the like may be provided. In addition, for example, an ignition
device (such as an ignition heater) igniting the combustor 20 may
be provided at an appropriate position in the combustion space 25.
In addition, a temperature detector detecting the temperatures of
the reformer 2, the fuel cell stack 6, and the like may be provided
at an appropriate position of the SOFC system 100.
[Stop Control of SOFC System]
[0113] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings and tables,
details of the stop control of the SOFC system 100 will be
described.
[0114] As described above, in the stop control of the SOFC system
100, when the flow rate of air supplied to the cathode of the fuel
cell stack 6 is increased, although the temperature of the SOFC
system 100 can be rapidly decreased, by the increase in flow rate
of the cathode off-gas flowing in the combustor 20, lean combustion
occurs in the combustor 20, and as a result, the flame of the
combustor 20 is liable to go out. If the flame of the combustor 20
goes out, the fuel gas cannot be supplied to the anode of the fuel
cell stack 6, and as a result, air may flow to the anode in some
cases.
[0115] For example, as apparent from the structure of the SOFC
system 100 shown in FIG. 1, a downstream end of the anode off-gas
discharge path 11 is opened to a space in the combustor 20. Hence,
when the fuel gas cannot be supplied to the anode of the fuel cell
stack 6, since the anode off-gas cannot be supplied to the anode
off-gas discharge path 11, air present in the combustor 20 may flow
to the anode in some cases through the anode off-gas discharge path
11. As a result, by oxidation of nickel of the anode, the
durability of the fuel cell stack may be degraded in some
cases.
[0116] On the other hand, when the flow rate of air supplied to the
cathode of the fuel cell stack 6 is decreased, although the
combustion stability of the combustor 20 can be improved, the stop
time in the stop control of the SOFC system 100 is increased.
[0117] Accordingly, the present inventors focused on a phenomenon
in that in the SOFC system 100 of this embodiment, for example,
when a city gas containing a methane gas as a primary component is
used as the raw material, since the conversion rate or the like of
the reformer 2 is changed in association with the decrease in
temperature of the reformer 2, the composition of the anode off-gas
flowing in the combustor 20 from the anode of the fuel cell stack 6
is changed from a hydrogen component-dominant composition to a
methane component-dominant composition. That is, the present
inventors focused on the difference in combustion characteristics
between hydrogen combustion having a rapid combustion rate and
methane combustion having a slow combustion rate.
[0118] The following Table 1 shows one example of operation
conditions of each device of the SOFC system 100 in the stop
control of the SOFC system 100. In this case, for convenience, the
sequence of the stop control of the SOFC system 100 is divided into
Stage 1 to Stage 5 corresponding to the decrease in temperature of
the fuel cell stack 6 and the reformer 2, and the operation
conditions of each stage from Stage 1 to Stage 5 are shown. For
example, as the temperatures of the fuel cell stack 6 and the
reformer 2 are gradually decreased from the stop of the power
generation of the SOFC system 100, the flow rates of the city gas
and water are required to be decreased. The reason for this is that
when the flow rate of the city gas is not decreased, a further
decrease in temperature of the fuel cell stack 6 and the reformer 2
becomes more difficult by heat generation of the combustor 20. In
addition, when the flow rate of water is not decreased, a S/C value
is excessively increased, and as a result, the combustion
characteristics of the combustor 20 may be adversely influenced in
some cases. In addition, the operation conditions in the following
Table 1 are shown by way of example but are not limited
thereto.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 POWER GENERATION STOP STAGE 1 STAGE 2 STAGE
3 STAGE 4 STAGE 5 TEMPERATURE .degree. C. 600 600 550 500 450 400
OF FUEL CELL STACK TEMPERATURE .degree. C. 600 550 500 450 400 350
OF REFORMER FLOW RATE OF NLM 2.00 0.50 0.45 0.45 0.40 0.40 CITY GAS
FLOW RATE OF g/min 4.68 1.17 1.05 1.05 0.75 0.75 REFORMING WATER
S/C 2.50 2.50 2.50 2.50 2.00 2.00
[0119] The following Table 2 shows one example of the result of
simulation of the composition of the anode off-gas under the
operation conditions of each stage from Stage 1 to Stage 5 in Table
1. In particular, when the temperature of the reformer 2, the flow
rate of the city gas, and the flow rate of water in Table 2 are
known, a reforming reaction in the reformer 2 can be simulated.
Accordingly, since the power generation of the fuel cell stack 6 is
not performed in the stop control of the SOFC system 100, the
composition of the anode off-gas can be calculated by this
simulation.
[0120] As shown in Table 2, it is found that as the temperature of
the reformer 2 is gradually decreased from approximately
550.degree. C., the ratio (H.sub.2/CH.sub.4:molar ratio) of the
concentration of hydrogen to the concentration of methane in the
anode off-gas is gradually decreased from 4.30 due the change in
conversion rate or the like of the reformer 2. It is found that
when the temperature of the reformer 2 is decreased to a
temperature of approximately 450.degree. C. (Stage 3), the
concentration of H.sub.2 and the concentration of CH.sub.4 are
close to each other (ratio of H.sub.2 to CH.sub.4:1.39). It is also
found that when the temperature of the reformer 2 is decreased to
approximately 400.degree. C. (Stage 4), since the ratio of the
concentration of hydrogen to the concentration of methane in the
anode off-gas is 0.67, the concentration of methane in the anode
off-gas is higher than the concentration of hydrogen.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 POWER GENERATION STOP STAGE 1 STAGE 2 STAGE
3 STAGE 4 STAGE 5 ANODE CH.sub.4 NLM 0.26 0.31 0.37 0.38 0.41
OFF-GAS H.sub.2O NLM 0.90 0.92 1.02 0.77 0.82 CO.sub.2 NLM 0.24
0.18 0.14 0.08 0.05 CO NLM 0.09 0.03 0.01 0.00 0.00 H.sub.2 NLM
1.12 0.75 0.52 0.26 0.15 H.sub.2/CH.sub.4 4.30 2.40 1.39 0.67
0.37
[0121] Accordingly, simulated off-gases shown in the following
Table 3 were formed so as to correspond to the compositions of the
anode off-gases of Stages 1 to 5 shown in Table 2. Subsequently,
experiments in each of which the simulated off-gas was combusted
while the air ratio was changed were performed using a single
combustion experiment device (not shown) formed only from the
combustor 20 shown in FIG. 1.
[0122] In addition, a CO gas which is not suitably used for the
experiment and which is contained in the anode off-gas shown in
Table 2 was replaced as a part of a hydrogen (H.sub.2) component in
the simulated gas shown in Table 3. In addition, in order to
simplify the experiment, a carbon dioxide gas (CO.sub.2) and steam
(H.sub.2O) in the anode off-gas in Table 2 are replaced by a
nitrogen gas (N.sub.2) in the simulated gas shown in Table 3.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 POWER GENERATION STOP STAGE 1 STAGE 2 STAGE
3 STAGE 4 STAGE 5 SIMULATED CITY GAS NLM 0.26 0.31 0.37 0.38 0.41
OFF-GAS N.sub.2 NLM 1.14 1.10 1.16 0.85 0.88 H.sub.2 NLM 1.21 0.78
0.53 0.26 0.15 UPPER LIMIT OF AIR RATIO -- 16.3 12.8 10.0 10.0
(EXPERIMENTAL RESULT)
[0123] FIG. 2 shows one example of the result of the combustion
experiment of the simulated off-gas using the single combustion
experiment device.
[0124] In FIG. 2, the horizontal axis indicates the air ratio, and
the vertical axis indicates a methane concentration (ppm) in a
combustion exhaust gas discharged from the single combustion
experiment device. In addition, in this case, as shown in Table 1,
in Stage 4 and Stage 5, since the city gas is supplied at a flow
rate of 0.40 NLM, the calorific value of the single combustion
experimental device in Stage 4 and Stage 5 is approximately 300
W.
[0125] In FIG. 2, a high methane concentration in the combustion
exhaust gas indicates that combustible gas combustion in the single
combustion experimental device is incomplete combustion, and this
methane concentration is required to be decreased to a
predetermined value or less.
[0126] As understood from FIG. 2, when the temperature of the
reformer 2 is high (550.degree. C.) as in the case of Stage 1,
regardless of whether the air ratio is high or low, the methane
concentration in the combustion exhaust gas is sufficiently
low.
[0127] However, it is found that as the temperature of the reformer
2 is decreased (as Stage 2 is shifted to Stage 5), in accordance
with the increase in air ratio, the concentration of methane in the
combustion exhaust gas is rapidly increased.
[0128] For example, in the case in which the upper limit of the
methane concentration in the combustion exhaust gas is set to 20
ppm, when the temperature of the reformer 2 is 500.degree. C.
(Stage 2), at an air ratio of more than 16.3, the combustible gas
combustion of the single combustion experiment device may become
incomplete combustion in some cases.
[0129] When the temperature of the reformer 2 is 450.degree. C.
(Stage 3), at an air ratio of more than 12.8, the combustible gas
combustion of the single combustion experiment device may become
incomplete combustion in some cases.
[0130] When the temperature of the reformer 2 is 350.degree. C. or
400.degree. C. (Stage 4 or Stage 5), at an air ratio of more than
10.0, the combustible gas combustion of the single combustion
experiment device may become incomplete combustion in some
cases.
[0131] By the combustible gas combustion experiment using the
single combustion experiment device as described above, it was
found that as the temperature of the reformer 2 is decreased, the
upper limit of the air ratio at which the anode off-gas can be
appropriately combusted by the combustor 20 is decreased. That is,
it was found that as the molar fraction (.beta.) of the hydrogen
component in the anode off-gas is decreased (in other words, as the
molar fraction (.alpha.) of the methane component in the anode
off-gas is increased), the upper limit of the air ratio at which
the anode off-gas can be appropriately combusted by the combustor
20 is decreased.
[Operation]
[0132] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, one example of
the operation of the SOFC system 100 of this embodiment will be
described. The following operation may be performed by a computing
circuit of the controller 40 using a control program from a storage
circuit of the controller 40. However, the following operation is
not always required to be performed by the controller 40. An
operator may perform part of the operation in some cases.
<Change in Temperature of Fuel Cell Stack with Power Generation
of SOFC System>
[0133] First, the change in stack temperature of the fuel cell
stack 6 in association with a series of power generation operation
from the start to the stop of the SOFC system 100 will be
described.
[0134] FIG. 3 is a graph showing one example of the change in
temperature of the fuel cell stack in association with the power
generation operation of the SOFC system 100 of the first
embodiment.
[0135] As shown in FIG. 3, when power generation of the SOFC system
100 corresponding to load is performed, the temperature is required
to be increased from ordinary temperature (approximately 20.degree.
C.) to a stable power generation temperature (such as approximately
600.degree. C.). That is, when a control operation (operation mode)
of the SOFC system 100 is a start control operation (start
operation mode), reforming air and a raw material, such as a city
gas, are supplied to the anode of the fuel cell stack 6 at ordinary
temperature. That is, by the controller 40, the raw material and
the reforming air are mixed in advance, and the mixture thus formed
is then supplied to the anode of the fuel cell stack 6 through the
evaporator 4 and the reformer 2. In addition, the controller 40
controls the air supplier 44 so as to supply air to the cathode of
the fuel cell stack 6. In addition, the controller 40 ignites the
anode off-gas discharged from the anode of the fuel cell stack 6,
and at the same time, the anode off-gas is combusted with the
cathode off-gas discharged from the cathode of the fuel cell stack
6 by the combustor 20.
[0136] When the temperature of the reformer 2 is increased by the
combustion heat, a partial oxidation reforming reaction (PDX)
proceeds. Since this partial oxidation reforming reaction (PDX) is
an exothermic reaction, this reaction heat can be used to increase
the temperature of the SOFC system 100. Accordingly, a starting
property of the SOFC system 100 can be improved. Even when the
partial oxidation reforming reaction (PDX) proceeds, the combustion
reaction between the anode off-gas and the cathode off-gas in the
combustion space 25 is maintained.
[0137] After a predetermined time passes from the start of the
partial oxidation reforming reaction (PDX), or after the reformer 2
is heated to a predetermined temperature or more, the raw material,
the reforming air, and steam evaporated from the evaporator 4 are
mixed together and are then supplied to the reformer 2. In the
reformer 2, an autothermal reforming reaction (ATR) using the
partial oxidation reforming reaction (PDX) and a steam reforming
reaction (SR) in combination is performed. In this autothermal
reforming reaction (ATR), since a thermal balance can be obtained,
in the reformer 2, the reaction proceeds while heat self-support is
realized.
[0138] After a predetermined time passes from the start of the
autothermal reforming reaction (ATR), or after the reformer 2 is
heated to a predetermined temperature or more, the supply of the
reforming air is stopped. Accordingly, the raw material and steam
in a mixed state are supplied to the reformer 2. As a result, the
reaction is shifted from the autothermal reforming reaction (ATR)
to the steam reforming reaction (SR). Although this steam reforming
reaction (SR) is an endothermic reaction, at this stage, the
surrounding of the reformer 2 is already heated to a sufficiently
high temperature (for example, to approximately 500.degree. C. to
600.degree. C.), and hence, the temperature of the fuel cell stack
6 can be stably increased.
[0139] When the stack temperature of the fuel cell stack 6 reaches
a predetermined power generation temperature lower than a rated
temperature which is a temperature of the stack at which a stable
power generation is performed at a rated load, the controller 40
controls a switch (not shown) or the like to close a power
generation circuit including the fuel cell stack 6. As a result,
the fuel cell stack 6 starts the power generation, and an electric
current flows in the power generation circuit. In association with
the power generation, since the exothermic reaction occurs, the
fuel cell stack 6 itself generates heat, and the temperature of the
fuel cell stack 6 can be rapidly increased.
[0140] That is, as shown in FIG. 3, in a period after the start
control operation of the SOFC system 100 and before the temperature
of the fuel cell stack 6 reaches a temperature (approximately
600.degree. C.) at which the power generation is performed so that
an electric power is stably supplied to an external load, a start
power generation control operation is performed. The start power
generation control operation is performed in a range in which the
temperature of the fuel cell stack 6 is approximately 530.degree.
C. to less than 600.degree. C. In order to assist the increase in
temperature of the fuel cell stack 6 which is slowly heated as
compared to the reformer 2 disposed right above the combustor 20,
this start power generation control operation is an operation to
start a power generation at a predetermined value or less before
the start of a full-scale power generation.
[0141] Subsequently, in the SOFC system 100, when the controller 40
judges that the rated temperature or more can be stably maintained,
a load following operation (power generation control operation) is
started. In addition, the operation in a load following operation
state is called a normal operation.
[0142] In the power generation control operation of the fuel cell
stack 6 described above, when an instruction to stop the power
generation in the SOFC system 100 is made, the following stop
control (control to stop the power generation) of the SOFC system
100 is then performed.
[0143] FIG. 4 shows one example of the stop control of the SOFC
system of the first embodiment.
[0144] FIG. 4(b) shows one example of a profile of the molar
fraction (.alpha.) of the methane component and the molar fraction
(.beta.) of the hydrogen component in the anode off-gas, each of
which is changed corresponding to the temperature of the reformer
2.
[0145] FIG. 4(a) shows one example of an air flow rate and a raw
material flow rate, each of which is set corresponding to the
temperature of the reformer 2. That is, as shown in FIG. 4(a), the
combustion experiment result using the single combustion experiment
device shown in FIG. 2 is reflected to the stop control of the SOFC
system 100.
[0146] In particular, as described above, when the temperature of
the reformer 2 is approximately 500.degree. C., at an air ratio of
more than 16.3, the combustible gas combustion of the combustor 20
may become incomplete combustion in some cases. Hence, at this
stage, the raw material flow rate is changed from 0.50 NLM to 0.45
NLM, and at the same time, the air flow rate is changed from 85 NLM
to 70 NLM. Accordingly, the air ratio can be decreased from 17.9 to
16.3. In addition, in association with the decrease in temperature
of the SOFC system 100, when the raw material flow rate is
decreased, the temperature of the SOFC system 100 can be
effectively decreased.
[0147] In addition, the reason the air ratio is set to 17.9
immediately after the power generation stop of the fuel cell stack
6 is that this air ratio is the maximum value of the rated output
of the air supplier 44 (such as a blower).
[0148] In addition, when the temperature of the reformer 2 is
approximately 450.degree. C., at an air ratio of more than 12.8,
the combustible gas combustion of the combustor 20 may become
incomplete combustion in some cases. Hence, at this stage, the air
flow rate is changed from 70 to 55 NLM. Accordingly, the air ratio
can be decreased from 16.3 to 12.8.
[0149] In addition, when the temperature of the reformer 2 is
approximately 400.degree. C., at an air ratio of more than 10.0,
the combustible gas combustion of the combustor 20 may become
incomplete combustion in some cases. Hence, at this stage, the raw
material flow rate is changed from 0.45 to 0.40 NLM, and at the
same time, the air flow rate is changed from 55 to 38 NLM.
Accordingly, the air ratio can be decreased from 12.8 to 10.0. In
addition, in association with the decrease in temperature of the
SOFC system 100, when the raw material flow rate is decreased, the
temperature of the SOFC system 100 can be effectively
decreased.
[0150] In addition, when times A, B, C, D, and E are as shown in
FIG. 4, the first average value of the air ratio obtained when the
molar fraction (.beta.) of the hydrogen component in the anode
off-gas is higher than the molar fraction (.alpha.) of the methane
component in the anode off-gas (.beta.>.alpha.) can be
calculated by the equation:
[(17.9.times.A+16.3.times.B+12.8.times.C)/(A+B+C)].
[0151] In addition, the second average value of the air ratio
obtained when the molar fraction (.beta.) of the hydrogen component
in the anode off-gas is lower than the molar fraction (.alpha.) of
the methane component in the anode off-gas (.beta.<.alpha.) can
be calculated by the equation:
[(12.8.times.D+10.0.times.E)/(D+E)].
[0152] Hence, as easily understood from FIG. 4, since the air ratio
in the case of the latter (.beta.<.alpha.:D+E) is lower than
that in the case of the former (.beta.>.alpha.:A+B), the second
average value of the air ratio in the case of the latter
(.beta.<.alpha.) is lower than the first average value of the
air ratio of the former (.beta.>.alpha.). That is, the first
average value is higher than the second average value.
[0153] Next, when the temperature of the fuel cell stack 6 is lower
than approximately 400.degree. C., even if air flows to the anode
of the fuel cell stack 6, oxidation of nickel of the anode is not
likely to occur. Hence, at this stage, the raw material flow rate
is set to zero, and the combustible gas combustion of the combustor
20 is stopped. However, in this case, although not shown in the
drawing, when air supply is continuously performed to the cathode
of the fuel cell stack 6 (for example, the air flow rate is
increased to approximately 60.0 NLM), the temperature of the SOFC
system 100 can be rapidly decreased as compared to the case in
which the air supply is not continuously performed.
[0154] Subsequently, when the temperature of the SOFC system 100 is
decreased to an appropriate temperature so as to appropriately
restart the SOFC system 100, or when a predetermined time (such as
some hours) passes after the air flow rate is increased to
approximately 60.0 NLM, the air supply to the cathode of the fuel
cell stack 6 is stopped, and the stop control of the SOFC system
100 is ended.
[0155] In addition, the SOFC system 100 is then placed in a waiting
mode waiting a successive restart instruction.
[0156] In addition, although not shown in the drawing, the air flow
rate (85 NLM) immediately after the power generation stop of the
fuel cell stack 6 is set to a sufficiently large value as compared
to the air flow rate (such as 45 NLM) in the power generation
operation of the fuel cell stack 6. In addition, the raw material
flow rate (0.50 NLM) immediately after the power generation stop of
the fuel cell stack 6 is set to a sufficiently small value as
compared to the raw material flow rate (such as 2.08 NLM) in the
power generation operation of the fuel cell stack 6. As a result,
after the power generation stop of the fuel cell stack 6, the
temperature of the SOFC system 100 can be rapidly decreased.
[0157] In addition, the flow rate of water supplied to the reformer
2 is set so that S/C in the reformer 2 has a predetermined value
(such as approximately 2.0 to 2.5).
[0158] In addition, the flow rates and the temperatures described
above are shown by way of example but are not limited thereto.
[0159] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing one example of the operation
of the SOFC system of the first embodiment.
[0160] First, in the power generation control operation of the fuel
cell stack 6, when an instruction to stop the power generation in
the SOFC system 100 is made (Step S1), in Step S2, the flow rate of
the raw material supplied to the reformer 2, the flow rate of water
supplied to the reformer 2, and the flow rate of air supplied to
the cathode of the fuel cell stack 6 are each set to an appropriate
value immediately after the power generation stop of the fuel cell
stack 6.
[0161] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the flow rate of the raw
material and the flow rate of air may be set to 0.5 NLM and 85 NLM,
respectively, but are not limited thereto. In addition, the flow
rate of water may be set so that S/C in the reformer 2 is 2.0 but
is not limited thereto.
[0162] Next, in Step S3, the molar fraction (.beta.) of the
hydrogen component in the anode off-gas and the molar fraction
(.alpha.) of the methane component in the anode off-gas are
calculated. In particular, when the temperature of the reformer 2,
the flow rate of the raw material, and the flow rate of water in
Step S2 are known, the molar fraction (.beta.) and the molar
fraction (.alpha.) described above can be obtained by simulation of
a reforming reaction in the reformer 2.
[0163] Next, in Step S4, the molar fraction (.beta.) of the
hydrogen component in the anode off-gas and the molar fraction
(.alpha.) of the methane component in the anode off-gas are
compared to each other, and whether the molar fraction (.beta.) is
lower than the molar fraction (.alpha.) or not is judged.
[0164] When the molar fraction (.beta.) is higher than the molar
fraction (.alpha.) (in the case in which "No" in Step S4), the
operation is returned to Step S3, and the operation from Step S3 is
repeatedly performed.
[0165] When the molar fraction (.beta.) is lower than the molar
fraction (.alpha.) (in the case of "Yes" in Step S4), the air ratio
is decreased in Step S5. In addition, the decrease in air ratio may
be performed, for example, in such a way that the flow rate of the
raw material in Step S2 is maintained constant, and the flow rate
of air in Step S2 is decreased or may be performed in such a way
that a decrease in flow rate of air in Step S2 is set to be larger
than a decrease in flow rate of the raw material in Step S2.
[0166] Next, in Step S6, whether the temperature of the fuel cell
stack 6 reaches a predetermined value or not is judged. The
predetermined value in Step S6 may be set to an appropriate
temperature (for example, to approximately 400.degree. C.) at which
nickel of the anode of the fuel cell stack 6 is not oxidized. In
addition, this temperature is shown by way of example but is not
limited thereto.
[0167] When the temperature of the fuel cell stack 6 does not reach
the predetermined value (in the case of "No" in Step S6), the state
described above is maintained.
[0168] When the temperature of the fuel cell stack 6 reaches the
predetermined value (in the case of "Yes" in Step S6), in Step S7,
the supply of the raw material and the supply of water to the
reformer 2 are stopped. However, the supply of air to the cathode
of the fuel cell stack 6 is continuously performed after the flow
rate of air is appropriately changed. For example, as shown in FIG.
4, when the flow rate of air is increased from approximately 38 NLM
to approximately 60.0 NLM, although the temperature of the SOFC
system 100 can be rapidly decreased, the increase in flow rate of
air is not limited thereto.
[0169] Next, in Step S8, whether the temperature of the SOFC system
100 is decreased to a predetermined temperature or less or not is
judged, and at the same time, whether a predetermined time (such as
some hours) passes from the operation in Step S7 or not is also
judged. In addition, the predetermined temperature in Step S8 is
set to an appropriate temperature at which the SOFC system 100 can
be appropriately restarted.
[0170] When the temperature of the SOFC system 100 is not decreased
to the predetermined temperature or less, and in addition, the
predetermined time from the operation in Step S7 does not pass (in
the case of "No" in Step S8), the state described above is
maintained.
[0171] When the temperature of the SOFC system 100 is decreased to
the predetermined temperature or less, or the predetermined time
from the operation in Step S7 passes (in the case of "Yes" in Step
S8), in Step S9, the air supply to the cathode of the fuel cell
stack 6 is stopped, and the stop control of the SOFC system 100 is
ended.
[0172] As described above, in the stop control of the SOFC system
100 in which after the power generation is stopped, the supply of
the raw material and air to the fuel cell stack 6 is continuously
performed, according to the SOFC system 100 of this embodiment,
since the flow rate of air is appropriately set in consideration of
combustion characteristics of the combustor 20, the degradation in
durability of the fuel cell stack 6 can be suppressed as compared
to that in the past. In addition, the SOFC system 100 of this
embodiment can also decrease the stop time in this stop control as
compared to that in the past.
[0173] In particular, when the molar fraction (.beta.) of the
hydrogen component in the anode off-gas is higher than the molar
fraction (.alpha.) of the methane component in the anode off-gas
(.beta.>.alpha.), since the composition of the anode off-gas
flowing in the combustor 20 is a hydrogen component-dominant
composition, even when lean combustion occurs in the combustor 20,
the flame is not likely to go out. That is, even when the fuel in
the combustor 20 is lean, the flame by hydrogen combustion having a
rapid combustion rate is not likely to go out as compared to the
flame by methane combustion having a slow combustion rate. Hence,
at this stage, when the flow rate of air supplied to the cathode of
the fuel cell stack is increased (that is, when the first average
value of the air ratio is increased), the temperature of the SOFC
system 100 can be rapidly decreased, and hence, the stop time in
the stop control of the SOFC system can be decreased as compared to
that in the past.
[0174] On the other hand, when the molar fraction (.beta.) of the
hydrogen component in the anode off-gas is lower than the molar
fraction (.alpha.) of the methane component in the anode off-gas
(.beta.<.alpha.), since the composition of the anode off-gas
flowing in the combustor 20 is a methane component-dominant
composition, when lean combustion occurs in the combustor 20, the
flame is liable to go out. That is, when the fuel in the combustor
20 is lean, the flame by methane combustion having a slow
combustion rate is more liable to go out as compared to the flame
by hydrogen combustion having a rapid combustion rate. Hence, at
this stage, when the flow rate of air supplied to the cathode of
the fuel cell stack 6 is decreased (that is, when the second
average value of the air ratio is decreased), the combustion
stability of the combustor 20 can be improved. Hence, the
probability in that since the flame of the combustor 20 goes out,
the fuel gas cannot be supplied to the anode of the fuel cell stack
6, and air flows to the anode can be reduced, and as a result, the
degradation in durability of the fuel cell stack 6 can be
suppressed as compared to that in the past.
Second Embodiment
[Device Structure]
[0175] FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing one example of a SOFC
system of a second embodiment.
[0176] A SOFC system 100 of this embodiment is similar to the SOFC
system 100 of the first embodiment except for that the following
first temperature detector 12 and second temperature detector 15
are further included and except for the following control content
of the controller 40.
[0177] The first temperature detector 12 is a sensor detecting the
temperature of the reformer 2. The first temperature detector 12
may have any structure as long as the temperature of the reformer 2
can be detected.
[0178] In the SOFC system 100 of this embodiment, the first
temperature detector 12 is provided for the reformer 2. As the
first temperature detector 12, for example, although a thermocouple
or a thermistor may be mentioned, the first temperature detector 12
is not limited thereto.
[0179] The second temperature detector 15 is a sensor detecting the
temperature of the fuel cell stack 6. The second temperature
detector 15 may be provided at any place as long as the temperature
of the fuel cell stack 6 can be detected. For example, the second
temperature detector 15 may be provided either for the fuel cell
stack 6 or for the periphery thereof. In the SOFC system 100 of
this embodiment, the second temperature detector 15 is provided for
the periphery of the fuel cell stack 6.
[0180] In addition, the second temperature detector 15 may have any
structure as long as the temperature of the fuel cell stack 6 can
be detected. As the second temperature detector 15, for example,
although a thermocouple or a thermistor may be mentioned, the
second temperature detector 15 is not limited thereto.
[0181] In addition, the temperature of the reformer 2 and the
temperature of the fuel cell stack 6 have a predetermined
relationship. Hence, instead of the first temperature detector 12,
the second temperature detector 15 may indirectly detect the
temperature of the reformer 2. Alternatively, instead of the second
temperature detector 15, the first temperature detector 12 may
indirectly detect the temperature of the fuel cell stack 6. The
temperatures detected by the first temperature detector 12 and the
second temperature detector 15 are appropriately sent to the
controller 40.
[0182] In the stop control of the SOFC system 100 in which the fuel
gas and air are continuously supplied to the fuel cell stack 6
after the power generation is stopped, the controller 40 may
control the air supplier 44 based on the temperature detected by
the first temperature detector 12 or the second temperature
detector 15. In particular, in this stop control, the controller 40
may control the air supplier 44 so as to decrease the air ratio as
the temperature detected by the first temperature detector 12 or
the second temperature detector 15 is decreased.
[Operation]
[0183] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing one example of an operation of
the SOFC system of the second embodiment. The following operation
may be performed by a computing circuit of the controller 40 using
a control program from a storage circuit of the controller 40.
However, the following operation is not always required to be
performed by the controller 40. An operator may perform part of the
operation in some cases.
[0184] Step S1, Step S2, and Step S5 to Step S9 in FIG. 7 are
similar to Step S1, Step S2, and Step S5 to Step S9 in FIG. 5,
respectively. Hence, description of those Step S1, Step S2, and
Step S5 to Step S9 will be omitted or simplified.
[0185] After the flow rate of the raw material, the flow rate of
water, and the flow rate of air are each set to an appropriate
value in Step S2 immediately after the power generation stop of the
fuel cell stack 6, in Step S10, the temperature of the reformer 2
is detected by the first temperature detector 12. In addition,
instead of the first temperature detector 12, the temperature of
the reformer 2 may be indirectly detected by the second temperature
detector 15.
[0186] Next, since the temperature of the reformer 2 is detected,
in Step S103, the molar fraction (.beta.) of the hydrogen component
in the anode off-gas and the molar fraction (.alpha.) of the
methane component in the anode off-gas are calculated. In
particular, when the flow rate of the raw material and the flow
rate of water in Step S2 are known, the molar fraction (.alpha.)
and the molar fraction (.beta.) can be precisely obtained by
detecting the temperature of the reformer 2. That is, from the
temperature of the reformer 2 thus detected, the flow rate of the
city gas, and the flow rate of water, a reforming reaction in the
reformer 2 can be simulated.
[0187] Hence, in the following Step S104, the molar fraction
(.beta.) of the hydrogen component in the anode off-gas and the
molar fraction (.alpha.) of the methane component in the anode
off-gas are precisely compared to each other, and whether the molar
fraction (.beta.) is lower than the molar fraction (.alpha.) or not
is judged.
[0188] When the molar fraction (.beta.) is higher than the molar
fraction (.alpha.) (in the case of "No" is Step S104), the
operation is returned to Step S10, and the operation from Step S10
is repeatedly performed.
[0189] When the molar fraction (.beta.) is lower than the molar
fraction (.alpha.) (in the case of "Yes" is Step S104), in Step S5,
the air ratio is decreased.
[0190] As described above, whether the composition of the anode
off-gas flowing in the combustor 20 from the anode of the fuel cell
stack 6 is a hydrogen component-dominant composition or a methane
component-dominant composition can be known when the temperature of
the reformer 2 is detected. Hence, in the SOFC system 100 of this
embodiment, when the air supplier 44 is controlled based on the
temperature detected by the first temperature detector 12 or the
second temperature detector 15, the flow rate of air supplied to
the cathode of the fuel cell stack 6 can be appropriately set.
[0191] In addition, the composition of the anode off-gas flowing in
the combustor 20 from the anode of the fuel cell stack 6 is changed
from a hydrogen component-dominant composition to a methane
component-dominant composition due to the change in conversion rate
or the like of the reformer 2 in association with the decrease in
temperature of the reformer 2. Hence, in the SOFC system 100 of
this embodiment, in association with the decrease in temperature
detected by the first temperature detector 12 or the second
temperature detector 15, since the flow rate of air supplied to the
fuel cell stack 6 is decreased by controlling the air supplier 44,
the flow rate of air supplied to the cathode of the fuel cell stack
6 can be appropriately set.
[0192] In addition, the "in association with the decrease in
temperature detected by the first temperature detector 12 or the
second temperature detector 15, the flow rate of air supplied to
the fuel cell stack 6 is decreased by controlling the air supplier
44" may be performed in such a way that in association with the
decrease in temperature detected by the first temperature detector
12 or the second temperature detector 15, the flow rate of air
supplied to the cathode of the fuel cell stack 6 is decreased
continuously or in a stepwise manner.
[0193] The SOFC system 100 of this embodiment may be similar to the
SOFC system 100 of the first embodiment except for the features
described above.
Third Embodiment
[0194] FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing one example of a SOFC
system of a third embodiment.
[0195] A SOFC system 100 of this embodiment is similar to the SOFC
system 100 of the first embodiment except for that the following
raw material supplier 41 is further included and except for the
following control content of the controller 40.
[0196] The raw material supplier 41 is a device supplying the raw
material to the reformer 2. The raw material supplier 41 may have
any structure as long as the raw material can be supplied to the
reformer 2. As the raw material supplier 41, for example, although
a pump may be mentioned, the raw material supplier 41 is not
limited thereto.
[0197] In the stop control of the SOFC system 100 in which the fuel
gas and air are continuously supplied to the fuel cell stack 6
after the power generation is stopped, the controller 40 controls
the raw material supplier 41 so that the amount of the raw material
supplied to the reformer 2 is set to a flow rate corresponding to a
calorific value of 300 W or more.
[0198] In FIG. 2, as described above, in Stage 4 and Stage 5, since
the city gas is supplied at a flow rate of 0.40 NLM, the calorific
value of the single combustion experiment device in Stage 4 and
Stage 5 is approximately 300 W.
[0199] However, in Stage 4 and Stage 5, since the temperature of
the SOFC system 100 is decreased, as the flow rate of the city gas
is increased, the temperature of the SOFC system 100 is not likely
to be decreased due to combustion heat of the combustor 20, and the
stop time of the SOFC system 100 may be difficult to be decreased
in some cases.
[0200] Accordingly, in Stage 4 and Stage 5, when a combustion
experiment in which the city gas was supplied at a flow rate of
0.30 NLM (calorific value: 210 W) was performed by the single
combustion experiment device, even if the air ratio was variously
changed, the methane concentration in a combustion exhaust gas is
high, such as 20 ppm or more, and hence, complete combustion could
not be performed. The reason for this is estimated that an amount
of heat required for a combustion chemical reaction by which
methane is decomposed is difficult to obtain from this calorific
value (210 W).
[0201] That is, in the stop control of the SOFC system 100, in
order to stably perform combustible gas combustion of the combustor
20, as the calorific value of the combustor 20, at least
approximately 300 W is required. In addition, the upper limit of
the calorific value of the combustor 20 may be set, for example, to
approximately a calorific value (700 W) which corresponds to the
minimum power generation in the power generation control operation
of the SOFC system 100.
[0202] As described above, when the composition of the anode
off-gas flowing in the combustor 20 from the anode of the fuel cell
stack 6 is a methane component-dominant composition, in the case in
which the amount of a methane gas supplied to the reformer 2 is set
to less than a flow rate corresponding to a calorific value of 300
W, due to an insufficient amount of heat of the combustible gas
combustion of the combustor 20, the combustible gas combustion may
be probably not maintained in some cases. However, the SOFC system
100 of this embodiment can reduce the probability as described
above by the structure described above.
[0203] The SOFC system 100 of this embodiment may be similar to the
SOFC system 100 of the first embodiment or the second embodiment
except for the features described above.
Fourth Embodiment
[0204] FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing one example of a SOFC
system of a fourth embodiment.
[0205] A SOFC system 100 of this embodiment is similar to the SOFC
system 100 of the first embodiment except for that the following
water supplier 43 is further included and except for the following
control content of the controller 40.
[0206] The water supplier 43 is a device supplying water to the
reformer 2. The water supplier 43 may have any structure as long as
water can be supplied to the reformer 2. As the water supplier 43,
for example, although a pump may be mentioned, the water supplier
43 is not limited thereto.
[0207] In the stop control of the SOFC system 100 in which the fuel
gas and air are continuously supplied to the fuel cell stack 6
after the power generation is stopped, the controller 40 controls
the water supplier 43 so that S/C in the reformer 2 is set to 2.0
or more.
[0208] In the power generation control operation and the stop
control of the SOFC system 100, in order to suppress carbon
precipitation on the reforming catalyst 2E, S/C in the reformer 2
is set to at least 1.5 or more, and in consideration of the
variation in water supply operation of the water supplier 43, water
is preferably supplied to the reformer 2 so that S/C is 2.0 or
more. In addition, when S/C in the reformer 2 is excessively
increased, combustible gas combustion of the combustor 20 is
adversely influenced; hence, the upper limit of S/C is preferably
set, for example, to approximately 3.0.
[0209] As described above, when S/C in the reformer 2 is set to
less than 2.0, carbon precipitation is generated on the reforming
catalyst 2E, and the reforming catalyst 2E may be probably degraded
in some cases; however, in the SOFC system 100 of this embodiment,
by the structure as described above, the probability of the
degradation as described above can be reduced.
[0210] The SOFC system 100 of this embodiment may be similar to the
SOFC system 100 of any one of the first embodiment, the second
embodiment, and the third embodiment except for the features
described above.
Fifth Embodiment
[0211] FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing one example of a SOFC
system of a fifth embodiment.
[0212] A SOFC system 100 of this embodiment is similar to the SOFC
system 100 of the second embodiment except for that the following
ignition device 60 is further included and except for the following
control content of the controller 40.
[0213] The ignition device 60 is a device igniting the combustor
20. The ignition device 60 may have any structure as long as
capable of igniting the combustor 20. As the ignition device 60,
for example, although an ignition heater or an ignition plug may be
mentioned, the ignition device 60 is not limited thereto.
[0214] In this embodiment, the SOFC system 100 is configured so
that the anode off-gas discharged from the fuel cell stack 6 is
supplied to the combustor 20 having a torus structure and is then
sprayed to the combustion space 25 at a predetermined rate, and at
the same time, the cathode off-gas discharged from the fuel cell
stack 6 is sprayed to the combustion space 25 from the periphery of
the combustor 20. In addition, by the ignition device 60, the anode
off-gas is ignited in the combustion space 25, and diffusion
combustion is performed together with the cathode off-gas sprayed
from the central portion and the periphery of the combustor 20.
[0215] In the stop control of the SOFC system 100 in which the fuel
gas and air are continuously supplied to the fuel cell stack 6
after the power generation is stopped, the controller 40 control
the ignition device 60 to ignite the combustor 20 when the
temperature detected by the first temperature detector 12 or the
second temperature detector 15 is decreased by a predetermined
value or more in a predetermined time or at predetermined time
intervals.
[0216] When the temperature detected by the first temperature
detector 12 or the second temperature detector 15 is decreased by a
predetermined value or more in a predetermined time, the flame of
the combustor 20 may probably go out in some cases. For example,
when the temperature thus detected is decreased by approximately
20.degree. C. or more within a couple of minutes, the flame of the
combustor 20 may probably go out in some cases; however, those time
and temperature are described by way of example and are not limited
to those described in this example. Hence, in the case described
above, according to the SOFC system 100 of this embodiment, since
the combustor 20 is ignited, the state in which the flame of the
combustor 20 goes out can be suppressed from being continued. That
is, a normal combustion state can be rapidly recovered from the
state in which the flame of the combustor 20 goes out.
[0217] In addition, in the SOFC system 100 of this embodiment,
since the combustor 20 is ignited at predetermined time intervals,
the probability of forming the state in which the flame of the
combustor 20 goes out can be reduced. For example, when the
combustor 20 is ignited approximately every 30 minutes, the
probability of forming the state in which the flame of the
combustor 20 goes out can be reduced; however, this time is
described by way of example and is not limited to that of this
example.
[0218] In addition, even if the flame of the combustor 20 is in a
normally combusted state, the operation of the ignition device 60
for a short time may not cause any problems.
[0219] The SOFC system 100 of this embodiment may be similar to the
SOFC system 100 of any one of the first embodiment, the second
embodiment, the third embodiment, and the fourth embodiment except
for the features described above.
[0220] In addition, the first embodiment, the second embodiment,
the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment, and the fifth
embodiment may be used in combination as long as not conflicting
with each other.
[0221] From the above description, various improvements of the
present disclosure and other embodiments are apparent for a person
skilled in the art. Hence, the above description is to be
understood as examples and is provided to suggest the most
preferable aspect for carrying out the present disclosure to a
person skilled in the art. The details of the structure and/or the
function of the present disclosure may be substantially changed or
modified without departing from the spirit of the present
disclosure.
[0222] According to the aspect of the present disclosure, in the
stop control of the SOFC system in which the fuel gas and air are
continuously supplied to the fuel cell stack after the power
generation is stopped, since the flow rate of air is appropriately
set in consideration of combustion characteristics of the
combustor, a SOFC system capable of suppressing degradation in
durability of the fuel cell stack as compared to that in the past
can be provided. In addition, according to the aspect of the
present disclosure, a SOFC system capable of decreasing the stop
time in the above stop control as compared to that in the past can
be provided.
* * * * *